I have access to Baytril for my rats that have upper respiratory infections, but is there other ways to cure upper respiratory infections in rats? I don't know how I feel about using Baytril and other medications any more.

My rats live in a big cage, according to that ratty cage calculator it can fit 11, and I have 6. I only use fleece and flannel for bedding, they do not get care fresh, or aspen or wood chips of any kind. I clean their cage once a week and spot clean daily.

I'm pretty sure one of my newer rats has a URI now and I don't know what to do. I talked to my vet friend, and one of my vet tech friends and they said Baytril. Well yes I know about Baytril, but are their really other ways to help a rattie cold without using medications? Are their other human meds they can have?

Are their harmful ingredients in children cold syrup? I know you can't use pepto with animals, but I do use kaolin pectin for my animals. I order it from a chinchilla breeder. Is there other things like that you can use for rats?

I dunno what my problem is, I just don't want to keep using antibiotics with them. I'd rather if I can just make it more comfortable for them, can they work through it themselves? I do that with my colds, can I do that for my rats?

Humidifier help?

Any thoughts? Otherwise if it's not doable I suppose I just have to go use the Baytril. I will of course, that's not a huge deal at all! But any alternative methods for dealing with rats and colds, or uri's?